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How2 volunteer in Chiang Rai
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Hi. I am going to try to write more of these as a sort of how to guide to do things.
At the moment i am on the way to Chiang Rai to do some volunteer work with Mirror Art Foundation.
English or Thai speakers can generally always go there to volunteer. They are after people to teach English or Thai, help with computer skills or TV skills, or construction or many things. They often have many various projects occuring. You can volunteer there for a short term, but longer, 1 - 2 months or even more is better.
Look on their websites:http://www.mirrorartgroup.org/
www.mirrorartgroup.org/volunteerenglish.html
Mirror Art Foundation are based in Mae Yao, just outside of Chiang Rai town. They live in an area that is has many exotic hill tribes such as Akha, Lahu, Mien and Karen people. Many of these people are new to Thailand (maybe been here for less than 300 years) and generally suffer more from poverty as they live in less fertile areas, amongst other reasons. Also their fascinating cultures and languages, are under threat of disappearing. The hill tribes once lived in the hills and jungle away from Thais and certainly away from Western influence. They now live as part of Thailand and the modern world. They can no longer hunt and use the jungle as they did before. However, they can now get some access to modern schools and medicine etc, although it is limited by their poverty. Even this is a threat as the need for money to get these things also potentially threatens cultures too, as lifestyles have to change to enable money making. Christian missionaries have already come in and whilst giving the hill tribes some benefits, they have also had the negative impact of decimating the traditional religions.
Anyway, all this is a long and complex story that you can try to understand more whilst here. Sorry this is a really short summary of a complex situation but the end result is the hill tribe people are great people, very friendly, often quite poor and by coming and helping them, hopefully you'll help them adjust to a new lifestyle whilst enabling them to keep some of their amazing culture and way of life. Plus you'll have lots of fun.
The websites have lots of info. They mention how to get to Chiang Rai (by bus, train or plane) and who to contact at Mirror. Either Khun Moo or me at paul_garrioch at(@) yahoo dot(.) com.
Oh - some news about me. I am not mentioned in the MAF websites yet, but while I was there, they offered me a job of being the person that contacts the English speakers and arranges things for you etc. So feel free to contact me also as more and more I will be the one that talks with the English speaking volunteers. Hopefully in about a year, we will all move permantly up to Chiang Rai. Oh, if any one knows of any groups, tour companies, schools, universities, businesses or anyone that would be interested in the experiences that can be gained by volunteering and experiencing the lifestyles in Chiang Rai, please let me know.
Oh, also if you can't volunteer, just travelling / trekking with them MAF local guides is a good way to help and also learn about the local area. (and much much better than most commercial trekking companies in Chiang Mai).
http://www.hilltribetour.com/english/index-eng.php
So if you want to volunteer: First make contact with Mirror Art Foundation through Khun Moo or me and tell us about your plans. You can do all this via email. Read all the website info. Check if this experience is really for you. You need to be prepared to live in some basic conditions and with less luxuary than at home; respect and attempt to live as per another peoples' culture and have lots of fun and get involved.
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